Allright, I've got the oppertunity to buy a 97 (i think) grand am for $150. It's been in a wreck, but it still runs and drives...

I'm kinda hurting for money, so I'll spend my money wisely... She doesnt know much about cars, and I've seen it once (in the dark) It's white, runs good, new tires and brakes(alledgedly), and needs wheel bearings. Not much rust that I could see, but, I wasnt exactly intereasted in the car at the moment (party) I think it has aftermarket rims, but I'm not sure

ANYWAYS, my moms said she'd let me buy it, ONLY if I can make money on it...

SO, anybody have any comments? I'm not sure what year, or engine it has, or how bad it's wrecked... Neither of the girls in the car were hurt (She spun out and hit a tree), airbags didnt go off...

Anybody know of any particulary valuable or commenly broken parts on the common grand am?

I'll take pictures of the car, but I'd need to buy it by friday

tks alot
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

It should have a 2.4 four or a 3.1 six cylinder. The four is a lesser version of a quad four but with all of the issues. The lower radiator hose, CV joints, alternator, coils and brakes go out on these alot and without warning. If the wheels are decent you could get your money back at least but unless you have a place that wants the drivetrain I would junk it. To turn a decent profit you would have to strip the car and piece it out on EbaY (half of what junkyards charge per piece). good luck.

why bother? do you WANT to be Sanford and Sons?

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

If you could buy a 300D in the same condition, (part out) then I would say go for it. A GrandAm isn't all that to begin with, right? This means that it's not one of those cars that people hang on to and keep fixing (like a 300D for instance). It's more like one of those cars that once the owner is sure it's been driven into the ground and can't be fixed for less than $200, that he/she gets rid of it - buying parts on ebay would not be a likely scenario - them going to a junkyard is the more likely scenario.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Which in theory would make spare parts pretty easy to find. But Nate, why not concentrate on fewer cars of higher quality? Has to be cheaper in the long run, particularly if you have to carry current registrations and car insurance on your fleet. A five-year-old Accord or Civic may seem a bit soulless, but so much easier on the wallet.

Put the money into the 300D. They are selling for good bucks.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

I've only got one vehicle insured for liability only... My toronado. I've got the benz on comp in case something happens to it...

$700 every 6 months

With the truck, I plan on getting it running right, then selling it...

I'm NOT selling the Mercedes. It was my dads, I have percious few memories with him... One of them? Driving around the block a few times in it. I really enjoyed it at the time, and, it's a VERY fond memory.

Screw driving a heartless vehicle. My cars ALL have personality, and, I like that. I could easily put myself into a civic or something, but, why?

With a newer car with a warentee, you know exactly who you're paying, and when... Old car? It's a guessing game, but it's usually cheaper then a newer one


I was just curious if I could make a little bit of money off the grand am...

I can get $85 a ton for it from the metal scrap yard, so If I buy it for $100, and sell only a few common parts (head lights, tail lights, commonly broken stuff) I can make a LITTLE bit of money... most junkyards would take it for $150, but no more, depending on condition.

The salvage yard doenst care that it runs and drives...
It would NOT run and drive when I get ready to take it down...

So, even if i'd break even, I'd still have some fun, and that's worth something...

O yeah, I think they just filled it up with gas before they crashed... HA, wonder if they'll siphon it out or not
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Sounds like you are going to go for it.

At least check ebay, and see what they are getting for parts - don't forget to check auctions that have ended...you'll get a good idea what parts actually sold for, and how many of them.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

If I were you - I’d go back and read posts 4 and 8 about five times before I went to sleep on it tonight.
Especially if you’ve got it in your head that $100.00/150.00 is a heck of a deal on a car, and that you’re bound to make money parting it out. I wouldn’t even think about parting out a car with what could be a “break even” profit margin. That’s a lot of work, for a little return. Remember the eBay fees too.

If you’ve already got a 300D. Put the money there, like 450 said.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Any time someone asks, or I need to know, just what something’s worth. That’s the first place I go.

Nothing like seeing what things are "actually selling for" vs. what someone or some book "says their worth".

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

So what are you going to do with the carcass after you part it out? How does your mom feel about that? Did you ask how much money you had to make in order to buy the thing?

You could probably break even after selling two windows and the wheels.

Hey I have an idea! Find another '97 that has good bodywork but doesn't run! Yeah, that's the ticket!

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

My mom knows I'm kinda broke, and this car could make me some money..

If it's in the back yard more then 6 months, she's going to start the benz on fire. Quite the motivation...

I'm not going to convince her I need two more cars, but, I bet I can fix this one if the frame's not bent...



if they'd just call me.......... I'd be over there inspecting it.

It's a girls car, last time I drove it, it REEKED of girl... Kinda funny IMHO... Mabey that will ad to somebody wanting the interior?

The girl, and her sister are both within a year of me, and really good looking............. O well, out of my league anyways. But I can dream.

anyways, I'll talk to them tomorrow at school

The carcauss is worth about $120 in scrap metal. If I dont break even in money, I'll break even in fun value... It doesnt need to run and drive for the metal scrap place to take it
any other suggestions?
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Wow. 6 Months !?
Cool mom ya got there.

If I ever left anything out of commission around our house for more than 6 days - mine would start me on fire.

“...REEKED of girl...” I’m not touch’n that one.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

I didnt say in a bad way, I just ment that it was obviously a girls car.... but yeah, mabey that wasnt a good idea to post...

o well
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Heck, if you can get that much from a junk yard, make some vids of it on a 300 shot of nitrous. Or charge admission to watch, make it remote controlled and see how far it can fly. Better yet get a shotgun and charge 10 bucks for 1 shot at it while its running. First one to set off the airbag wins 100 bucks. So many ideas.....